If you are thinking about buying a cheap camera from one of those NY based websites take a look at their store fronts. Would you give these guys your credit card numbers?
//www.donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/
That's exactly the reason they can sell it cheaper. I know you have to be careful who you do business with but these places are not all crooks. I don't think I've done business with any of those on the list so I can't speak for them.
I keep separate credit card just for internet purchases, so if something goes wrong, I can call the credit card company and have them cancel the charges. I haven't had to do this yet and I've purchased thousands of dollars worth of stuff on the internet.
I have done buisness with one of these guys and everything went great, I purchased from the MP super store, or Marine Park. They were very thoughtful, I got my merchadise within 4 days, and I was billed correctly. Of course I called my credit card company and told them the total that was to be charged, and that was all I was authorizing, but there was no problem. I guess I am lucky, makes me nervous now.
I purchased from a similar shop in NY, but in person.
Arranged everything in advance from Australia, turned up there and oops, grotty building, elevator that was really scarey! Up to third floor and inside there was a small, but nice, genuine little camera store. Somewhere on 17th Street I think it was, name something like like 17th street photo.
Got what I wanted, all new and boxed. Being small they didn't have some of the accessories I needed, so I popped over to B&H and grabbed them there.
Had I seen a pic of the outside of the place I would never have ordered from there. Having been there I would now order from there again without hesitation, even from overseas.
Doubtless there are some dodgy operators, but equally you can't always judge a store by its front.
I've ordered from 17th Street Photo, and was very pleased, too. And I've read quite uncomplimentary things about Abe's, whose storefront looks fairly respectable. (I've been happy with J&R, Adorama, and B&H, as well, but they are all Manhattan stores...)
I'm another happy 17th Street Photo customer. Natator, that sotry is too funny. You had to be wondering "what the he** did I get myself into?" when you first saw the building.
I highly recommend //resellerratings.com/ to research the reputation of online stores.
wkmen - If you're talking about Abe's of Maine, I've ordered from them and had very good service.
I have been warned about some of the NY stores as well.
I don't know how many of you have used //www.shopping.com, but I have found it very useful. It lists multiple shops/websites to order a product from and also offers reviews/rankings for those shops.
